Local
authorities have decided to close Boulder Creek to watercraft beginning
tomorrow morning.
Sheriff Joe
Pelle announced today that, after consulting with Boulder Police Chief Mark
Beckner, in the interest of public safety, Boulder Creek will be closed to
watercraft for the immediate future beginning at 7 a.m., on Saturday, June 25.
The closure is in effect for Boulder Creek from Barker Dam east of Nederland to
the Weld County line, north of Erie, including the section that flows through
the city of Boulder. Sheriff’s deputies and Boulder police officers will be
posting notices today, advising recreationists of the closure.
The closure
includes watercraft such as rafts, belly boats, and inner tubes from floating
in the creek. Kayaks and white water canoes will still be permitted, but those
users are strongly encouraged to observe caution. Violations of the closure are
a class 2 petty offense and will result in a $50 fine.
Officials said
in a news release that the recent warm weather is promoting the melting of the
snowpack, adding significantly to the amount of water flowing in the creek. As
of today, Boulder Creek was flowing at an estimated 500 cubic feet per second
(CFS), and normally flows at a rate between 100 and 300 CFS. It is anticipated
sometime this weekend, Silver Lake will spill over, adding approximately 200
CFS to Boulder Creek.
Pelle said he
does not anticipate closing South Boulder Creek or the St. Vrain River at this
time, as both are running below the threshold at which the Sheriff’s Emergency
Services Section would recommend a closure. The St. Vrain River is currently
flowing at approximately 819 CFS; the volume at which Emergency Services would
recommend a closure is 1200 CFS. South Boulder Creek is currently running at
approximately 232 CFS through Eldorado Springs.
